The early phases of a major road project that will shut down U.S. 31 between Bartholomew and Jackson counties for eight months is set to begin next week.

Harry Maginity, spokesman for the Indiana Department of Transportation, says that the $8.4 million project will replace the bridge over Sand Creek and eventually install a roundabout at the intersection with Bartholomew County Road 400S.

Next week’s work will begin some exploratory drilling at the bridge site and will require flaggers to redirect traffic around the workers, Maginity said.

On March 21st, INDOT’s contractors will begin removing and replacing pavement under the CSX railroad bridge along the route, which will redirect traffic from East County Avenue and Jackson County Road 700N to U.S. 50 and then along Interstate 65 to the Edinburgh exit. That work is expected to take about five days.

Starting on April 4th, contractors will begin demolishing the bridge at Sand Creek, requiring closing U.S. 31 for 240 days

INDOT planners are trying to see if they can include the roundabout work in the 2016 construction season.